Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Cucumbers have been one of my favorite vegetables since childhood - I actually remember craving them through my teens and 20's - it was like I couldn't eat enough. When I look back on this experience, its probably because my body was trying to tell me something - it desperately needed more water, hydration, and all the nutrient and antioxidant benefits that these little green veggies have to offer!

I still love cucumbers to this day and as you know, my passion is eating food as medicine and sharing that information with others.  So in today's What's That?! Wednesday post, let's explore cucumbers as our medicine...

6 Health Benefits of Cucumbers:

1. Protect Brain Health - Cucumbers are high in a flavanol called fisetin which has been shown in clinical studies to play a large role in preventing neuro-degeneration. It protects your nerve cells from age related decline to keep help your memory and cognition sharp.
   
   
2. Combat Inflammation  - The antioxidants in cucumbers have been shown to calm inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes and assisting in cleaning up free radicals that damage our cells.
   Beauty Tip: You can also place cucumbers over your eye lids for 5-10 minutes to reduce inflammation and swelling as well as hydrate the delicate skin around your eyes. 
   
   
3. Can Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms  - Cucumbers contain high levels of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, and quercentin which are all natural antihistamines that help reduce or prevent the histamine release that causes common allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat. 
   
   
4. Assist in Weight Loss - Because cucumbers are 95% water and 5% fiber, they are virtually calorie free (only 40 calories for a whole medium cucumber) and can help feel full without adding lots of extra calories. The extra water content aids in digestion which helps flush toxins that slow down your metabolism. And the green skins are packed with B vitamins that help to boost energy and support a healthy metabolism.
   
   
5. Relieve Bad Breath - Did you know that placing a cucumber on the roof of your mouth can help get rid of bad breath? Just hold it in place with your tongue for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Cucumbers contain phytonutrients that will help kill the bacteria that causes bad breath. 
   
   
6. Ease a Hangover - The large amount of water, electrolytes, and B vitamins contained in cucumbers make them a great remedy for a hangover as well. Just eat a cucumber before you go to bed to help reduce or prevent symptoms of a hangover in the morning. 

To get your daily dose of this medicine...try these awesome cucumber recipes:
Cucumber & Carrot Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing
Cool Cucumber Gazpacho
Creamy Cucumber Ranch Dressing

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Happy Cucumber Eating!
~Billie